In states like Illinois where agriculture is an essential engine of the economy, crop loss can have a particularly widespread and devastating impact. Agricultural producers in Illinois are experiencing significant losses due to a persistent, unprecedented, statewide heat and drought. The Illinois Department of Agriculture and representatives of the Farm Service Agency in Illinois are working to expedite assistance to Illinois farmers affected by these weather events.

Senator Kirk and other members of the Illinois delegation have pushed for increased drought relief assistance in Illinois. Below are some of the available resources.

United States Department of Agriculture
The USDA provides resources and information related to the current drought crisis from across the Government. USDA and other federal agencies are taking steps to help farmers, ranchers, and small businesses wrestling with this crisis.

Farm Service Agency
The Farm Service Agency provides assistance for natural disaster losses, resulting from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest infestation, and other calamities.

Illinois Department of Agriculture
The Illinois Department of Agriculture provides resources and assistance to those who have been effected by drought.

Illinois Drought Response Task Force
The Illinois Drought Response Task Force provides information, tools and resources designed to minimize the harm caused by the prolonged drought still facing families across the state.

In addition to the above resources, USDA Service Centers are designed to be a single location where customers can access the services provided by the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development agencies. You can use the USDA Service Center Locator to find the service center nearest you. Click on the map below to be redirected to the locator.